Chapter 275: Finding Him a Few More Wouldn't Hurt
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Her pleas fell on deaf ears. Xiao Ai never listened to reason, only cursing even more viciously.
Amber, however, was merely going through the motions; she didn't believe she could sway Xiao Ai.
Ye Qinghan simply followed Amber to the dining room.
To be clear, Ye Qinghan and Xiao Ai had only parted ways on the second floor of the mansion. Ye Qinghan turned right to follow Amber to the dining room, while Xiao Ai turned left to meet Amber in the office…
Truth be told, it was a bit too close for comfort. Ye Qinghan could even hear the aggrieved tone in the voice of the usually arrogant Lord Heguang…
"Heguang, didn't Xiao Ai tell you? Don't go see Su Cheng!"
"Which bastard ratted me out? That slut Amber, right?!"
"Stop making baseless accusations! Xiao Ai isn't senile yet!"
"No, Xiao Ai, how much longer do you plan to endure this? Are you just going to let that gutter rat Su Cheng bully you like this? You can tolerate it, but I can't!"
Hearing this exchange, Ye Qinghan couldn't help but think it sounded like a staged performance!
But soon enough, she heard the "Valkyrie" scream!
"Hey hey hey! Xiao Ai, it's your sister He Guang! You're going to spank me?"
"Wait, hold on!"
"Huh? Wait for me, I'm not wearing anything underneath! Wait… no!"
"Hold on, this armor is one-piece!"
"I'll take it off myself! Can't I just take it off myself?!"
"Easy… ah!"
"I know I'm wrong! Hakko knows he's wrong! I'll never… Ah! Wait! Ah!"
After a while…
"Xiao Ai, my dear sister, you want me to apologize to that bitch?"
"Xiao Ai, beat me to death! I'm not going to apologize to her! What did I do wrong!"
"Huh? You really want to beat me to death?"
"Xiao Ai, your big sister here is the Blade of Execution. I've taken hits from Yao Guang's armor-piercing rounds. Even if you beat your dear sister to death today, I won't go apologize to her…"
"Ow ow ow! Ouch ouch ouch! Fine, fine! Xiao Ai! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I won't pretend anymore!"
A little while later…
"She's the Master's direct disciple. You can shoot your mouth off, but if you dare harbor any ill intentions, even Xiao Ai won't be able to protect you!"
"The Master ran away, not died. Didn't I find him?"
"Everything concerning the Master is in Xiao Ai's hands. A few women? That sort of trash isn't even worth Xiao Ai's attention!"
"Common whores, useless in battle and incapable of strategy—nothing but cheap bed warmers."
"Xiao Ai just thinks the Master went out for a bit of fun. If he likes them, she can easily find him a few more cheap trinkets like that."
"Now that disaster has struck, who else can she rely on besides Xiao Ai? Heh, Sister, you can rest easy!"
"As for your loose tongue—this time it’s a spanking, but next time Xiao Ai might slap you. Though with such a pretty face… Xiao Ai wouldn’t have the heart to…"
"The mouth above can't be struck, but the one below should be fine, right?"
A submissive voice soon followed…
"I'll go apologize, okay?"
"Hehe, now that's my good sister~ Xiao Ai knows you're the best~"
Before long, Hakko entered the dining hall trailing behind Xiao Ai, tears glistening in her eyes. She looked utterly dejected, a far cry from the fierce Valkyrie she'd been that day…
To be honest, before witnessing this scene, Ye Qinghan had suspected it might be an act!
But now, she was certain—this was the real deal…
"Miss Qinghan, I deeply apologize for my offense that day. Please forgive me."
Ye Qinghan nodded slowly, but her demeanor this time was different from before. It had to be said, there was a reason why Gu Ai was called the most outstanding attendant.
Regardless of her personal feelings, she had given her master both face and substance.
Sometimes, disciplining one's child in public wasn't shameful at all. At least Ye Qinghan didn't find Xiao Ai embarrassing.
She only realized how little she truly understood this pink-haired loli!
"Lord Heguang, please do not take offense. It is all Qinghan's fault for being so inconsiderate and offending you."
Breakfast time arrived. Truth be told, Ye Qinghan wasn't overly concerned about whether Crane Light apologized, but she had indeed witnessed the loyalty Crane Light held for this Lady Gu Ai.
Ever since entering this room, the address had shifted from "Xiao Ai" to "Lord Gu Ai."
Ye Qinghan didn't know what kind of power this Hakko possessed, but the fact that a mere spanking could make her cry made Hakko's loyalty abundantly clear.
A sumptuous feast was brought to the table at Amber’s nod, and He Guang was fortunate enough to tag along for the meal. Amber, however, wasn’t so lucky.
Ye Qinghan sat with Xiao Ai at the guest's place. Though not hungry, she ate a little anyway.
What surprised her, however, was that Lord Gu Ai—who usually wolfed down his food—dined with unexpected refinement at home.
In Ye Qinghan's eyes, Xiao Ai was no different from Li Shiyao—come mealtime, they both seemed like they'd starve to death in the next second…
"My name is Gu Ai—Gu as in 'gu,' Ai as in 'ai.'"
"Ku Mu was mostly correct, but there's one point Xiao Ai needs to explain to you."
"Everything Xiao Ai possesses is not bestowed by the Master, but rather jointly owned by Xiao Ai and the Master."
"The Master's money, the Master's troops, the Master's food, clothing, housing, and transportation—all are managed by Xiao Ai."
"Except—spending requires Xiao Ai's signature, deploying troops needs Xiao Ai's approval, and all necessities follow standards set by Xiao Ai."
Ye Qinghan understood. Was this what they called loyalty?
"I understand, Lord Gu Ai. Thank you for your hard work."
Xiao Ai sipped thin, bland congee, accompanied by a meat patty—this was her breakfast.
In stark contrast, Ye Qinghan's table was laden with rich meats and fish, filling the entire surface.
"Xiao Ai knows what you want to know, and Xiao Ai can tell you."
Xiao Ai picked up a piece of vegetable, chewed it twice, and seemed to feel something was missing in the flavor…
"Hmph…"
She then turned to Amber, her expression accusatory. "Didn't I instruct you to arrange breakfast according to princess-level hospitality standards? Why haven't you poured wine for His Highness Qinghan?"
Ye Qinghan politely replied, "Hehe, no need to trouble yourself. Qinghan can't hold her liquor…"
"Nonsense! Xiao Ai knows fox spirits can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk! Don't be shy. Amber, fetch that bottle of Yesterday's Kiss from the wine cabinet!"
Amber pushed her gold-rimmed glasses up her nose with a dismissive expression. "Lady Gu Ai, your prohibition on alcohol hasn't been lifted yet. Didn't you sneak off to drink with the General last time? Do you think Amber doesn't know?"
Xiao Ai looked thoroughly displeased. She was the Godslayer Queen, after all!
She was the sovereign!
"This is official business! What do you know? I was entertaining the Lord's personal disciple! Charge it to the inner city accounts—Xiao Ai will reimburse you!"
"Lord Gu Ai, Amber disagrees. Don't even think about it!"
Amber gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her expression solemn. "Effective the third of this month, the mansion enters full Level Three combat readiness. All leave is canceled. Tianshu remains on 24-hour standby. Do not occupy any combat channels. Maintain spatial suppression within a 30-kilometer radius. Combat personnel remain on constant alert, ensuring rapid mobile combat capability within twenty minutes of receiving orders."
"Wait, but… Xiao Ai isn't even on a mission. What's wrong with having a drink?"
"Last time you swore you'd never drink again, that you'd quit. You even had Amber supervise you to make sure you didn't get a single drop."
"Xiao Ai isn't drinking… Go get it and pour some for Miss Qinghan. How about that? Otherwise, it'd look like our mansion isn't hosting properly, wouldn't it?"
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